The special thing about Dhruv is that he keeps focused on his Rathayatra fundraising all year long (with lots of quarters and dollars from mom and dad’s wallet!) Dhruv’s parents, Yogini and Devesh Purohit, say Dhruv has been building Jagannath Carts from Mega blocks since he was a toddler. Every year since he was three, I have seen him in his grandma Narayani’s apartment, building a Cart and talking about Lord Jagannath’s Rathayatra. Some call him an incarnation of Jayananda Dasa.
Dhruv’s love for Lord Jagannatha inspired him to build a little Rathayatra Cart out of Legos Building Blocks. He organized his first public Rathayatra all by himself. Dhruv set a date for the festival, made a flyer with crayons, then I xeroxed them. Then he went door to door throughout the New Dvaraka community distributing them. He wanted everyone to attend. He even called a meeting and asked Vishnu Priya Dasi and myself to be there. He told us that he wanted to have a parade down Watseka Avenue. I thought it was a joke at first but I could see how serious he was. He asked me to be in charge of the adults leading kirtan during the parade and he wanted the children to lead kirtan at the Rath site. Dhruv said that he wanted to give prasadam to everyone who attends his Rathayatra. I asked him what would be on the menu for those who came. He said he wanted to serve apple juice, lemonade juice, popcorn and cookies.
Dhruv’s enthusiasm to have a children’s Rathayatra spread like wildfire. Before long many devotees were involved with various aspects of the planning. Vishnu Priya dasi and Dhruv decorated his Rathayatra Cart. Dhruv instructed Vishnu Priya dasi how to decorate the Cart. He decorated it with peppermint candy garlands, other candy garlands and flower garlands. His little Rathayatra Cart was only about two feet tall, but it was colorful and beautiful!
The day of the festival came fast – July 26th, 2007 at 11:00 am. You could barely see the tiny little Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Deities on the cart. The support for “Dhruv’s Rathayatra on Watseka” was overwhelming. Svavasa Prabhu, our temple president made a morning announcement about it. He asked those who could attend to come and show their support. From his Holiness Radhanath Swami (visiting from Mumbai), Prithu Prabhu, and our temple president Svavasa Prabhu, and wife Tadit Prabhu, to friends and family from the community at large – everyone turned out for Lord Jagannath’s parade! Dhruv led the Rath with his very well practiced conch shell blowing, and the bramachari’s led an ecstatic kirtan during the parade. The weather was extremely hot. Some of us were bare feet. You could feel the scorching heat of the pavement burning at your feet. We kept going, singing and dancing in the middle of the street, up and down Watseka. The police drove by, smiled and kept going. I saw some neighbors looking out their windows. It was amazing!
Dhruv performed a full Arati at the “site” (in front of Mother Shantatma’s apartment) after the parade. Grandma Narayani dasi made cookies, as did Mother Pavani and Raghunath Priya dasi. Dwarakadisha dasa, and Lilavati dasi, (who comes regularly for the Sunday Feast program), got wind of Dhruv’s Rathayatra. They became so inspired that they sponsored all you can eat Pizza. It was made by Krsna Gauranga dasa. Mother Manjari Prabhu made dhokra. Dhruv’s parents brought juice, Mother Ujjala Prabhu brought popsicles, and I brought the popcorn. Before you knew it, there was a sumptuous offering and feast for Lord Jagannath. Dhruv did the offering and ran around serving everyone. After everyone left, I came back to the Rath site with Dhruv’s mom to help clean up. There was not much for us to do. Dhruv was there by himself sweeping and had cleaned up everything. He had already done it all! I have no idea who this kid really is.
I pray that there are many more “Dhruv’s Rathayatras” on Watseka!
Jai Jagannath! Jai Baladeva! Jai Subhadra!
This was the best festival ever!
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
